Alex Semin and Hurricanes agree to 5 year, 7 million avg deal

Now that this is done, they should seriously look into trading Skinner for a defenseman. Before this season that would have been unthinkable, but now they have a vastly superior hockey player locked up for only 1.25M/yr more than Skinner. It's the only way to address the defense long term. All you are getting otherwise at the deadline is some mediocre #4/5.

I agree, Skinner is tough to justify keeping at the prices they will eventually have to pay him.

I might be in the minority, but i think this is a bad signing for Carolina. With the cap going down next year, to tie up 7M dollar in a guy like Semin for the next 5 years, with his history of disappearing and coasting when it matters, was not the direction to go. He is a skilled guy, but guys like Semin always play well on one year contracts. I would have offered him a 3 year deal max, around 5 M a year. Maybe i am too harsh on the guy, but i

watched so many Washington games in the playoffs where this guy was completely invisible. Ask some of his Washington teammates on Semen, and they were already vocal about their thoughts on him. I am completely flabbergasted that Semin suckered a GM to pay such a ridiculous amount for him. Has Scott Gomez written all over it. Watch his production drop now (LOL). Enjoy Alex Kovalev Version 2.0 Canes fans. Horrible deal, but good for Semin!

No idea why you quoted my post in particular to say what you said.

Either way, you're entitled to your own opinions, and most of us are just focusing on what we've seen him do for this team so far this season. It could turn out to be a terrible signing, or it could turn out great. We don't know for certain as of yet, but to this point Semin has had maybe 3 bad games compared to a whole lot more for Eric Staal. Everybody has their weaknesses and their strengths, and the strengths Semin possesses are some things not found anywhere else on this team. If there's something you covet, you overpay for it.

I agree, Skinner is tough to justify keeping at the prices they will eventually have to pay him.

And we are eventually going to need to resign Tlusty and Faulk, as well.

We need to hope for serious economic inflation, I think with all of these long term deals that's the only chance we have.

I didn't believe Highway to Cap Hell when he first started that thread, I thought he was overreacting. Now that these contracts are beginning to become reality I'm getting a bit nervous about the future...

The backlash re: Skinner comes from the expectation of continued improvement from young players. Skinner this season is basically the same player he was prior to this year, but people brushed off the glaring weaknesses in his game as due to being young, not as fundamental flaws. Now as time goes on they see that maybe Jeff Skinner is just simply bad defensively, doesn't utilize his teammates and can't keep his head up.

Also of note is that Alex Semin was not here a year ago. It's a lot easier for a player to capture the affection of fans when his competition is an Eric Staal off to the worst start of his career and not much else. Skinner was on pace for 55 points last year and had 61 points the year before. Alex Semin had better production over that same timespan and got labeled as some sort of chronic underachiever.

If Jeff Skinner wants to play garbage defense and hog the puck, he needs to put up a lot more than 60 points to justify his contract.

It must make you really miserable to watch Canes hockey. Have you applied for JR's job?

More than what I would of expected, but keeping him around is important. He definetely deserves more than the contract Jstaal was offered, so good move. Right now, our team has solid chemistry on the first two lines, but give it some time to develop more.

Either way, you're entitled to your own opinions, and most of us are just focusing on what we've seen him do for this team so far this season. It could turn out to be a terrible signing, or it could turn out great. We don't know for certain as of yet, but to this point Semin has had maybe 3 bad games compared to a whole lot more for Eric Staal. Everybody has their weaknesses and their strengths, and the strengths Semin possesses are some things not found anywhere else on this team. If there's something you covet, you overpay for it.

Yeah, a mistake on my part. I wanted to quote someone else, but accidentally quoted your post. Maybe i am harsh on this guy because of his past disappearing acts with the Capitals, but i still maintain that contract was a bit too much for this guy. As for your last phrase "If there's something you covet, you overpay for it", that statement would be true if there was no salary cap like in MLB, where the teams like the Yankees spent like mad men over the past decade. In today's cap world, to tie up 7M dollars in a guy like Semin for the next 5

years, given his past history, has disaster written all over it. If Semin was not on an one year deal entering free agency, would he still be this productive? The answer is probably no. Maybe Semin can shut me up by putting up great numbers all year, including the playoffs, but history says otherwise. So many teams passed up the opportunity to sign this guy last season, and before the season is even completed, he gets handed a 35 M dollar contract over 5 years (SMH). What a joke.

Semin has been hovering around a point per game for the past five years. I wouldn't call that not showing up. Semin has shown no signs of being lazy or floating and has only had a few bad games this season, probably the least amount of any player on this team this year. The only frustrating part of his game is the number of goal posts and shots off net, and i believe this season we have seen his lowest career shooting percentage. The way Caps fans talk about Semin would make me think he went around beating their families dogs or something... I don't really understand it. As for not showing up during the playoffs we will have to wait and see, but Semin helps us get there, something we need. The Staal's and Ward are guys that are known to elevate their games during the playoffs so it wouldn't be the end of the world if Semin disappears like caps fans like to point out.

7mill/per seems a bit high, but he would have gotten that, most likely more if he hit free agency. This is a deal JR has to make. The chemistry between Staal and Semin has been unreal.. I don't see how we could spend that money better.

I'm not a fan of the deal. Too much money, too long, too risky a player, and worst of all, horrible timing.

We're about two more weeks of horsebleep play away from going all the way from contenders to sellers this season and Semin would have been a huge trade chip. Why did this have to happen now? It's really bad management, in my opinion.

I'm glad to see us spending money, and I have nothing against Semin. He sure seems to like it here, and I've enjoyed watching him play.

But what's the harm of waiting a few more weeks? Worst case, we're out of the playoffs and we can trade him, perhaps even for a defenseman. Best case, we turn it around and win the division. Then we can give him the same contract at the end of the season. It's not like he's going to *improve* his value.

I think it's ridiculous to see the amount of money we have tied up long-term in forwards (Eric, Jordan, Skinner, Ruutu and now Semin) and in goal (Cam), but JR continues to try to get by on a shoestring defense. It's simply not working, and it's not going to work.

Again, I like Semin. But I think this contract at this time is a bad move for the Hurricanes.

I'm not a fan of the deal. Too much money, too long, too risky a player, and worst of all, horrible timing.

We're about two more weeks of horsebleep play away from going all the way from contenders to sellers this season and Semin would have been a huge trade chip. Why did this have to happen now? It's really bad management, in my opinion.

I'm glad to see us spending money, and I have nothing against Semin. He sure seems to like it here, and I've enjoyed watching him play.

But what's the harm of waiting a few more weeks? Worst case, we're out of the playoffs and we can trade him, perhaps even for a defenseman. Best case, we turn it around and win the division. Then we can give him the same contract at the end of the season. It's not like he's going to *improve* his value.

I think it's ridiculous to see the amount of money we have tied up long-term in forwards (Eric, Jordan, Skinner, Ruutu and now Semin) and in goal (Cam), but JR continues to try to get by on a shoestring defense. It's simply not working, and it's not going to work.

Again, I like Semin. But I think this contract at this time is a bad move for the Hurricanes.

So when everyone complains we need a winger to play with Staal, we find one, and trade him for a draft pick which will be a questionable player if he even makes it in the NHL. I agree that 7M is a bit much but looking at Getzlaf, Perry, Parise deals, its a bargain IMO

I'm not a fan of the deal. Too much money, too long, too risky a player, and worst of all, horrible timing.

We're about two more weeks of horsebleep play away from going all the way from contenders to sellers this season and Semin would have been a huge trade chip. Why did this have to happen now? It's really bad management, in my opinion.

That was my initial reaction too.

But the more I think about it, the more I think this was a vote of confidence by JR. With the team faltering the last few games, you know people were starting to wonder if he was going to start shipping guys out of town.

We'll see whether it was the right move or the wrong one probably by the end of this week. but either way JR is showing that he has a plan and he's sticking to it for the long haul. And I really respect that even if I don't like all his moves.

I'm not a fan of the deal. Too much money, too long, too risky a player, and worst of all, horrible timing.

We're about two more weeks of horsebleep play away from going all the way from contenders to sellers this season and Semin would have been a huge trade chip. Why did this have to happen now? It's really bad management, in my opinion.

I'm glad to see us spending money, and I have nothing against Semin. He sure seems to like it here, and I've enjoyed watching him play.

But what's the harm of waiting a few more weeks? Worst case, we're out of the playoffs and we can trade him, perhaps even for a defenseman. Best case, we turn it around and win the division. Then we can give him the same contract at the end of the season. It's not like he's going to *improve* his value.

I think it's ridiculous to see the amount of money we have tied up long-term in forwards (Eric, Jordan, Skinner, Ruutu and now Semin) and in goal (Cam), but JR continues to try to get by on a shoestring defense. It's simply not working, and it's not going to work.

Again, I like Semin. But I think this contract at this time is a bad move for the Hurricanes.

I usually agree with everything you say, but not this time. Letting him walk for a draft pick or prospect would be a fine idea...IF we had ANYONE capable of filling the top line spot next to EStaal next year and beyond. We do not. And we would be right back to where we were last year complaining for years about not having a legit winger for the #1 unit.

But I absolutely agree about the state of our defense. I have an idea though...why don't we hold on to our draft picks and prospects for once. And...I don't know...maybe develop a capable defensive unit?? Losing Dumo and a #1 for another forward when our defense is so utterly horrible is not my favorite move of all time. Throwing unnecessary draft picks for Westgarth is another of my least favorites.

I'm not a fan of the deal. Too much money, too long, too risky a player, and worst of all, horrible timing.

We're about two more weeks of horsebleep play away from going all the way from contenders to sellers this season and Semin would have been a huge trade chip. Why did this have to happen now? It's really bad management, in my opinion.

I'm glad to see us spending money, and I have nothing against Semin. He sure seems to like it here, and I've enjoyed watching him play.

But what's the harm of waiting a few more weeks? Worst case, we're out of the playoffs and we can trade him, perhaps even for a defenseman. Best case, we turn it around and win the division. Then we can give him the same contract at the end of the season. It's not like he's going to *improve* his value.

I think it's ridiculous to see the amount of money we have tied up long-term in forwards (Eric, Jordan, Skinner, Ruutu and now Semin) and in goal (Cam), but JR continues to try to get by on a shoestring defense. It's simply not working, and it's not going to work.

Again, I like Semin. But I think this contract at this time is a bad move for the Hurricanes.

So you would rather have a prospect or draft pick whom we can only hope will turn out as good as Semin several years from now? Ya, that makes sense. You trade guys like that if you're not going to retain them or you're in a total rebuild. We're in neither of those positions.

According to Capgeek, the Canes now have 17 players signed for next year and $6M left in capspace. Need to sign 2 defensemen, 3 forwards and a back-up goalie at a minimum..so they can afford $1M / player (unless they make a trade).